Unofficial news and tips about Google

August 16, 2006

Google WiFi Available In Mountain View

Google WiFi network is now available for all the 72,000 residents of Mountain View, where Google's headquarters are located. The service is free and doesn't include advertising, but it's limited to a download rate of 1 Mbps.

"Wireless customers with Google e-mail, instant messaging or home page accounts can sign in using with their normal passwords. Those wishing to remain anonymous can create a temporary user name and sign in to a default Google home page featuring local information on Mountain View and the surrounding region," informs Reuters.

Google also offers a free software that allows secure access by creating a virtual private network (VPN). By using the software, the Internet traffic will be encrypted.

Google's purpose of this initiative is to be an inspiration for broadband entrepreneurs that want to build high-speed municipal WiFi networks in other cities. Google says it doesn't plan to expand its initiative and that the wireless network for San Francisco is currently on hold.